[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 21, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Page S2660]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RETIREMENT OF STEPHAN LEONOUDAKIS

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, it is a pleasure to take this 
opportunity to draw the Senate's attention to the career of Stephen C. 
Leonoudakis.
  Stephan was Director of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and 
Transportation District from 1962 until his retirement this past 
January. Even by the standards set by some members of this chamber, 
this is a long time. He served continuously in the same position for 38 
years. Over the course of this time, he became nearly as integral to 
the Bridge District as the famous span for which it was named. There 
are few who remember a time when he was not Director. The question is 
not whether he will be missed, but what will we do without him?
  Stretching from San Francisco to Marin County across the opening to 
San Francisco Bay, the Golden Gate Bridge is one of the most 
identifiable landmarks in the world. People flock to the bridge from 
around the globe, often braving the chilly mid-summer fog to catch a 
breathtaking glimpse of the city to the east, the seemingly endless 
Pacific Ocean to the west, the Bay directly below and the graceful 
structure itself above and around. It is a truly enchanted place.
  But, as the name implies, the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and 
Transportation District is more than just a bridge with a million 
dollar view. It is a full-service transportation district complete with 
buses, ferries, bicycles, pedestrians, staffmembers and all the 
maintenance and other administrative challenges that come with them. 
This is where Stephan really shined. Over his tenure, he participated 
in transforming the Bridge District from an agency that essentially 
looked after a beautiful landmark into an organization which operates a 
world-class transit agency serving millions of commuters and visitors 
annually. This is a tremendous achievement that Stephan shares.
  There were times, I imagine, when people thought that Stephan might 
just outlast the bridge he loved and looked after all these years. But 
thanks to solid construction, regular maintenance and a vigorous 
seismic program he began, it looks like Stephan is going to beat the 
bridge into retirement by many years. We can all be grateful for that 
even as we bid a friend a fond, happy and healthy retirement. No one 
deserves it more.

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